MT. DARAITAN l TINIPAK RIVER l DARAITAN CAVE

Tinipak River

Some of us have been thinking about what are we going to do during the weekend. While others might planning of spending their hundreds of pesos in a coffee shops or dining in an expensive restaurants just to get rid of their spare time. But there are those group of people who really wants to make out most of their weekends in little outdoor adventure. It was Friday night when one of my friends posted a tease photo about his whereabouts on the coming weekend and so I asked him if I could join with his group. And yes he replied 6:00 in the morning the following day that they'll be heading to Daraitan, Tanay and the finest part I just had an hour to pack my things up since they'll be gathering in a few minutes. That was really quick!

This isn't the first time that I linked with group of strangers alone and I've been doing this kind of activity for a couple of times already to meet new faces and to gain bunches of friends. But as I have always said it's not really easy to talk with these people at first meeting and that is the toughest part in this form of event.

Kaladkarin (easy to drag)- that's how they call their group. Am I one of them?(lol)

DAY 1

Daraitan is a small town located in the border of Tanay Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon Province, a 3-4 hour ride from the City of Manila. This little town possesses a very traditional barrio, a donkey transporting cargoes, a group of women washing their clothes on the small stream, car-less streets and a mud-covered foot of local children playing along the side road. One of the main draw in this village is Mount Daraitan, a 739 MASL above sea level. This mountain is renowned as one of the top 10 hiking destination in the Philippines according to our local guide.

How to get there:

You may take a Jeep/Van at Starmall, Mandaluyong to Tanay Rizal. We hired a jeepney from Tanay to Daraitan since we are group of 18 but if you are coming in a small group you can take public transport but there's specific time of departure or you may rent a tricycle for P100/pax. Once you get to the town you need to register and pay a fee of 20.00 at the Barangay Hall before heading to the climb. You are also required to have your local guide to accompany you for P1,250.00 in a group of 10 people including side trips to Daraitan Cave & Tinipak River.

We rested for a while because we were welcomed by modest rain showers when we reached the village and started our trek almost 2:00 in the afternoon. The trail was muddy and slippery but the temperature began to scorch on our way to the summit. 

We haven't attained our half way point yet but some of us are experiencing exhaustions and tiredness already. Mt. Daraitan is very precipitous trail that is why you need to be cautious with your steps because you might tumble if you mistakenly stride the soggy stones.

Nearly 5 in the afternoon when we arrived at the base camp and it was my first time setting up a tent to stay for an overnight at the crest. They offered me their extra porch since I don't have mine. 

While others are busy preparing for our dinner I was also occupied having a little chitchats with these people. They are outrageous, they laugh out so loud but they're all nice, clever, easy to be with and  friendly.  

DAY 2

I woke up 3 in the morning with hum of the trees and freezing winds since I don't blanket to cover  up myself and noises from a group of people talking with loud voices passing by our tents.
Meanwhile, our group agreed that our call time was at 5AM because we still have to trek for another 20 minutes for the sunrise viewing to get to the summit but the sun didn't showed up. Nevertheless, the view from the hill was exquisitely enchanting and breathtaking especially when you are surrounded with these group of people.

A glimpse of a rainbow after the drizzle.

After a few hours of staying at the summit we had to prepare our breakfast before heading back to village for another tour.

TINIPAK RIVER

.The trail to hidden river takes 30-40 minutes walk from the main village and offers a dashing adrenaline activities like rock climbing and rappelling.

The marvellous river holds your breath with incredibly astounding marbles carved by nature and the undeniably refine engraved rock formations surrounded around the river. According to the article  this river has been awarded as the cleanest inland body of water in Region 4.

 (L-R Bena, Phillip, Luis & Jasmine)

On the other hand, there's a cryptic hole which bids with natural jacuzzi inside of the cave that you'd certainly like to dip. An entrance of P5.00 for a limited time is exquisitely fun while plunging with your friends.  

Daraitan Cave

(Erik, Belle, Lei, Bena, Matt, Dana, Jasmine, Phillip, Jaypee, Jelo, Reden, Mags, Marge, Maki at Bebe niya, Emil & Marvin)

Indeed, I had fun with you guys until next lakwatsa! salamat!:)

Expenses:
Star Mall to Tanay                   55.00
Rental Jeepney                       195.00/pax group of 18 (Tanay-Daraitan-Tanay)
Meal contri(Dinner&Bfast)    100.00
Local guide                            139.00/pax group 10
Cave Entrance                           5.00
Tanay to Star Mall                  55.00

SAGADA, MT. PROVINCE

Hanging Coffins

Sagada is a small town in Mountain Province,a 275 kilometers north of Metro Manila. Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins. This is a traditional way of burying people that is still utilized. Popular activities include trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, and participating tribal celebrations. (Source: wikipedia).

Last 15th-19th of January 2015 was declared as long weekend holiday when Blessed Pope John Paul II visited the Country as his way of commiseration for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City. And since I won't do nothing during that particular days I joined an event who will be travelling to Sagada called Trail Madness. Trail Madness is an adventurous team which offers their participants to explore and discover the places away from the hassle bustle City of Manila.They are delivering high-end experiences like mountaineering,spelunking, camping, beach bumming and other extreme activities. I paid an all-In expense package tour from them worth Php4,500.00 since it was a rapid decision. Inclusions are as follows.

--3D2N Accommodation (Room Sharing)

--Round trip transportation

--2 day tour: Kiltipan, Echo Valley, St. Mary’s Church, hanging Coffins, Bomod-ok Falls,Pottery House, Sagada Weaving, Orange Farm, Cave Exploration (Sumaguing & Lumiang Cave)

--All tour guide Fees

--All permits and entrance Fees

--8 meals

We departed at exactly 07:00PM in Manila and almost 01:00AM when we arrived in Baguio City. We've waited for almost an hour at the Bus Terminal for our rental service to come since the temperature was down to 10*C. It was freaking cold when we get there and I am expecting more freezing weather going to Sagada. And I wasn't wrong!

Joining an event like this is quiet challenging especially if you're signing up alone. Firstly, you have no one to talk to(nakakapanis ng laway) and secondly it's a bit difficult to make friends in an instant with  different groups of people. But it's a matter of how will you start & flavor  the conversation. Be gentle and be nice, Mate!  Anyway, It was nearly 9:00AM of Day 2 when we reach the little town and the frosty weather of Sagada welcomes us candidly. We rested for a couple of minutes and ate our breakfast before we headed to our first errand.

BOMOD-OK FALLS

Bomod-ok Falls or Big Falls is located in Brgy. Aguid, Travel time is approximately 20-30 minutes ride from the the proper town of Sagada and an hour and a half trek from the Main road. Information Center going to the Falls is situated in Bangaan where you need to register your names and a required local tourist guide because you can't start the trek without them. 

Registration Fee -  85.00/person

Tourist Guide     -500.00

Bangaan Information Center

(top of the Jeepney experience with Arun, Lorraine, Gochi and Ralph)

(Empe lights session with my new found friends Nikki, Rein, Kim, Jay, Mel, Dan, Ralph & Gochi)

SUMAGUING & LUMIANG CAVE

A trip to Sagada would not be complete without risking the most visited place of the town, the Caving. Caving is one of the main attraction here where you can see the best formations of stalactites and stalagmites carved by nature which thousands of years to form. Sumaguing is connected to Lumiang Cave this is like a test for every individuals of how physically fit you are because you need to mount yourself in tiny holes along the way. And be ready to get wet and chill with your adventure as temperature inside the cave aren't pleasant. 

Getting there:

There are two information centers where you can find local guides, one in SAGGAS beside Salt & Pepper and in Municipal Tourist Hall.

Registration Fee: 35.00/person

Guide                 :400/per guide

Photo Credit: Mr. Francis Ansing

We started our spelunking at 9 in the morning and due to ample of tourists during that days we reached the tail of Lumiang Cave at 4 PM but the normal caving will just take you from 3-4 hours only.

ST MARY'S CHURCH & HANGING COFFINS

We  decided to skip the other places included in our itinerary since we do not have much time to visit all of them. But one thing is for sure I had so much fun with this split second decision trip. 

For inquiries & questions with the event organizer. Please visit

Website: www. trailmadness.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trailmadness/

Thanks guys!Thanks for the awesome experience Sir Francis!